An eating disorder can affect anyone, and they are far commoner than you would ever imagine.

The main characteristics of an eating disorder can be abnormal eating habits that can consist of eating insufficient amounts of food, or excessive amounts of food, eating only certain types of food based on textures or colour.

However in the eyes of the person carrying out the behaviour there's nothing abnormal about it. Often the behaviour is driven by obsessive thoughts and so the eating serves a purpose. To find out more, call me on 01772 499046 or "email me by clicking here".

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia affects approximately 60,000 to 200,000 people and it's estimated that 1% of people aged between 10 and 20 suffer from anorexia each year. The condition can be characterised by an obsession with weight loss resulting in refusal to eat or irregularity in eating patterns.

Sufferers may become obsessive about eating rituals and develop an unusual way of eating, e.g. becoming more calorie conscious, skipping meals and avoiding certain food, selecting a small variety of foods and only eating them in very small quantities.

This is all usually done secretly. Sufferers may also go to great lengths to pretend that everything is OK, such as gathering and saving food crumbs to leave on plates, to give the impression they are eating.

Bulimia Nervosa

Approximately 4% of people aged 16 - 25 suffer from bulimia, and like anorexia, bulimia is a serious psychological eating disorder that can be life threatening if left untreated.

A person suffering with Bulimia nervosa usually has regular episodes of overeating and feels a huge loss of control. Sufferers use what may be considered unnatural ways to get rid of the food (e.g. forced vomiting, taking laxatives or excessive exercise).

Some sufferers may force themselves to get rid of the food even if they haven't binge eaten, but feel they have eaten more than they should have. As many sufferers are deeply ashamed of their behaviour, they almost always relieve themselves by forced vomiting in secret.

The exact causes of bulimia are unknown, but from experience of working with sufferers there are often
psychological, trauma, family, social and cultural factors that have helped create the behaviour.

Binge eating, compulsive eating - I can't stop eating!

Although binge-eating disorder is not as well known as anorexia or bulimia, it still affects millions of people around the world and research suggests it affects about 2% of all adults.

Binge-eating disorder is characterised by eating large amounts of food and being unable to control the habit. Unlike bulimia, individuals suffering from this disorder do not vomit or use laxatives to relieve themselves, and are therefore usually very likely to gain weight.

Many sufferers eat secretly and then feel guilty and shameful about what they are doing, which then fuels the negative feelings they may have, creating a vicious spiral.

Misophonia

Whilst not really a disorder, with the people I work with it occurs more around the whole environment of food and eating.

Misophonia sufferers typically have strong negative emotional reactions to certain sounds, often around the sound of someone eating.

These reactions range from annoyance and anger to extreme rage. In many cases these feelings are vented on loved ones such as parents, siblings, and partners, but can eventually spread to anyone.

The sounds that generally trigger the emotions are chewing, crunching, slurping, breathing and talking. This can trigger a need (fight or flight) to get away from the environment, and so the sufferer may create an argument, or make harsh and cruel comments to create an atmosphere of silence or create an opportunity to leave the situation.

How does Hypnotherapy help me with my anorexia, bulimia, misophonia, fussy, faddy, binging or a compulsive eating disorder?

Hypnotherapy can often be a last resort for many people. You may have already been through your GP and quite possibly been in and out of clinics over many years. Most conventional treatments for eating disorders focus on changing the thoughts and behaviours around food. However this doesn't always deal with the emotional drivers.

Every issue has a starting point, you weren't born with this disorder, something happened to create it.

Hypnotherapy is used to help identify and uncover the root cause behind the behaviour, so that the emotional aspect can be dealt with. Additionally, Hypnotherapy can help to improve self confidence and self image so that the individual is able to view themselves differently and clear any limiting beliefs they may have about themselves.

To find out more about the stages and process of change, have a look at the 'The process' and the 'F.A.Q' pages from the menu options above.

How many sessions of Hypnotherapy will I need?

Each person is as unique as the cause of the issue, and as such the number of sessions varies from person to person.

Due to the complex nature and the often internal conflicts' present with Anorexia and Bulimia it's not possible to give an exact figure on how many sessions are required. With Anorexia and Bulimia their is often a great deal of unconscious resistance and self sabotage. Ultimately it comes down to a persons openness and willingness to work with the process and the internal resistance.

What's the cost per session?

The cost per session is £60, with each session lasting around 2 hours.

How can I pay for treatment?

Payment is per session and can be paid in cash, debit card, Visa or MasterCard at the end of each session.

What's the next step in putting an end to my eating disorder?

For help in letting go of your eating disorder call me on 01772 499046 or email me by clicking here.

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